The Face of Business: Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Sara Sayyed, Senior Advisor, Equity, Anti-Racism and Indigenous Initiatives at City Of Guelph. Sara has extensive professional experience and significant leadership accomplishments in community organizing and consulting particularly around how equity and accommodation measures can be adopted within organizations and workplaces. Sara holds a Bachelor of Environmental Science from University of Guelph. Combining her knowledge across sectors, Sara is passionate about education and social justice advocacy and progress. 

Tim Campbell-Smith is so extroverted he puts the social back in social media. A generalist by profession, his digital marketing consultancy focuses on improving business overall through social media. Tim has consulted for and spoken with thousands of entrepreneurs and organizations around North America, most notably with The Small Business Centres of Ontario, The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), The Resilience Summit, Innovation Guelph, Social Media Pro, The Professional Organizers of Canada and the Los Angeles Film School. Tim has also taught at Fanshawe and Conestoga College, and his newest book, Lousy and Conflicting Advice: A Humorous Reflection on a Career in Social Media Marketing is out now.

Luanne Whitecrow, Director, Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) is Anishnaabe from the Seine River First Nation in Ontario. She graduated from the Toronto School of Business with diplomas in Micro Computer Business Applications, Network and Communications, and Office Administration. She has 8 years’ experience working within the Aboriginal community in the Greater Toronto Area, where she worked at the Aboriginal Business Resource Centre in marketing and promotion for the Toronto Aboriginal Business Association, its annual TABA Awards, and the Small Business Certificate Program. She played a key role in providing networking and guided support to Aboriginal artists in multiple disciplines: music, art, crafts, and other business ventures. For the past 6 years her focus has been on the Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) program for the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business.

Tony Wight, retired Ontario lawyer working as volunteer Board of Directors member of Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons (‘CFPDP’) in Toronto, chairing certain annual fundraising events and working on other projects, e.g., Seat at the Table. Five years in private practice followed by almost 40 years in-house legal counsel at IBM Canada. History of volunteerism with Rotary Club, Lymphedema Association of Ontario and an active sports fan.

Monique Peats, Co-Founder and Chief Clinical Director at Inward Strong, has always had a passion for helping people, and her resume proves it; she’s an awarded clinician, entrepreneur, co-author, international presenter and health tech innovator. Recognizing the challenge of stigma, shame and accessibility had long plagued those seeking support, she co-founded Inward Strong — an award-winning, simple and practical online program for people coping with addiction, anxiety, stress, and other mental health issues. Based in Waterloo, she also maintains a private psychotherapy practice.